joyful paws

Paying Attention to My Corner of the World. Are You Paying Attention?

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I wonder how often we pay attention to the things right in front of us as well as right around us. This was something I became very aware of when I gave myself the gift of a life coach many years ago. I was yearning for more fulfillment in my life and didn’t know how to go about finding that for myself.

As I went through the coaching process I found myself seeing things right in front of me that I had never seen before. The colors of the world seemed to explode right before me. I wondered why I had never seen this before. The sky was so blue, the green, green grass dancing in the wind, the dog prancing down a sidewalk happily, an older couple out on a walk holding hands.

I recalled years before working at a job that was a half hour from my home. I don’t recall enjoying ride there and back because I was usually worrying about one thing or another, or just not wanting to go to work. How much did I miss?

Once I began noticing nature around me, I wanted more and more. When my husband built my writing studio for me a few years ago, I said I wanted lots of windows. My studio sits on an angle so I am able to see all four corners of my neighborhood and I have 7 windows in my little 10 x 12 room.

Today as I glanced out my windows to the east I saw the light beginning to make its way down into the earth for another night. I quickly grabbed my camera and captured the photo (above). As I look at it is as if the trees in the background look like the tress are in full fall foliage, while the forefront definitely shows winter.  A few moments later I glanced back outside again… and the entire landscape changed… just like that… now early evening setting in, the sun having gone to sleep for the day.

It only takes a moment to capture a moment of nature that can take your breath away… make you appreciate how intricate and magnificient nature truly is… no matter what corner of the world you live in. If you believe it, you will see it.

Even my little Frankie appreciates her view out the window…

 

My Yogi Master.

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

How lucky am I to have Frankie as my Yogi Master?

In the last few months I’ve really come to love my daily Yoga practice. I like that it is called a practice. For so many years the only reason I worked out was to stay in shape and be a certain size. I’m not saying I still don’t want to attain those things, but I’ve become gentler and kinder with myself if I don’t always stay on track. Yoga being a practice helps remind me of that. Some days I’m amazed at how well I did my Yoga workout, while other days I have a tougher time and the poses seem harder than they did the day before.

But as I’ve gotten into yoga more I love the mind, body and spirit connection I get from it. It helps balance me and keeps me more calm. When doing Yoga you can’t really let your mind wonder into the areas of struggle in your life, or you have a good chance of falling out of your poses. When I was struggling with some personal issues the last few weeks I found Yoga difficult to do, though I did it anyway. Practice was the name of the game those days since my mind was filled with worry and anxiety.

I always take Frankie with me downstairs where I have my mat and props set up. While I do a yoga DVD she is always sitting either right on the edge of my mat, or in front. I love how she seems to get the same benefits from it as I do… or at least I’m thinking she does. I don’t know for sure. But I do know it makes me smile when I am doing downward dog and there she is looking up at me.

As I move away from my mat and do some Pilate’s or free weights Frankie scoots on over to the mat and lies there while I finish working out, so I was able to capture this photo of her today. Good Yogi Master Dog, Frankie. Good Dog.

Permission. No Guilt. A Life Wish

Posted by Barbara Techel


I felt myself not wanting to do much of anything today after lounging around all day yesterday.  So I had to give myself a little pep talk.  “Ok, Barb, time to get on with the day. You have my full permission to move into things at a leisurely pace. No hurry. Take your time.” Ah, now that felt like a good idea.

So I started with a leisurely walk with Kylie, my English yellow lab. She’s not much of an exerciser and I’ve often been frustrated by it. But lately I’ve seen a few of the neighbors taking their dogs for a walk through the athletic field which is behind our house. It is surrounded by many trees and a nice wooded area. The dogs always look so happy heading down the path. I like to try and watch for their return which is usually about a half hour later, because it brings me such joy to see happy, tired dogs with their tails wagging with pure delight.

Hmmm, I thought- maybe Kylie would like a leisurely walk instead of how I would walk- which means getting my heart rate going, doing it to stay in shape, etc. So instead of approaching it as exercising, we went to explore and take in the sights of the morning. Boy- did she have fun (and so did I)!  She was hot on the smells of the previous dog tracks and was having the time of her life. A few times she would stop and look up at me and as if to say, “Wow, Mom, this is really fun!  Can we do this more?  Can we? Can we?” I smiled and said, “Sure girl, I will try and do this more with you.”

I think we have to give ourselves permission to not only slow down when we want, but to move at a pace that is comfortable for us. So much guilt we tend to put on ourselves to get so much “stuff” done. I don’t want anymore guilt. Kylie reminded me of that today on our walk. I want to live an even simpler life than I did last year and the year before.

The last few years I have set  alot of goals for myself though I’m not really a fan of goals. But the past few years I have written down 5-6 things I want to accomplish each year in terms of my Joyful Paws business. I’m proud to say I’ve accomplished every one of them. But as I moved through my day today the afternoon found me out in my writing studio sorting and organizing things that needed attention. I also grabbed my dry erase board where I write down my goals each year and wrote down three things I’d like to accomplish for 2012 for Joyful Paws. That’s it. No more. It feels right. They are three big goals, so I think it will be enough to keep me busy. But it will also give me time to enjoy more walks with Kylie… as well as with Frankie once the weather is warm again so she can come along in her doggie stroller.

So it’s my hope that you give yourself permission to live each of your days just as you would choose. No guilt. Just pure pleasure.

A Life Wish

May the days and years ahead of you be filled with

OPENINGS

that you may sense clearly the path you choose to walk;

VISION

that you may see, search, and dream without limitation;

SENSITIVITY

that you may hear and follow your own innter guidance, discern when to act on behalf of yourself and/or others and when to simply be and let be;

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

that you may taste the fruits of success; and,

POSSIBILITIES

that you may discover what you want and need, know who you are, give to others of your heart’s joy, have the courage to stand for your own convictions, and believe in yourself no matter what

~Raphaella Vaisseau